December 6, 2019

5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

A lover and performer of every imaginable genre of music, Robert Burke is a drummer/percussionist with a master’s degree in music performance. Originally Canadian, he has lived in New Orleans for over 20 years, and has performed and studied in Europe, Japan, Canada, and throughout the U.S. He’s held faculty positions at several universities, but is currently enjoying the freelance music world of New Orleans. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his children, Adelaide and Ellis, who attend Lycee Francais, and his wife, Amber.

Music
It’s not so much a vocation as it is a calling. I have been immersed in music since childhood with my mother and I dancing to the radio in the kitchen. Most recently, I performed with Paula and The Pontiacs at Jazz Fest and Mason Ruffner at Crescent City Blues and BBQ. My favorite musical pursuits are original artists trying to make a mark; recently, I have been working with Ghalia Volt with Ruf Records.

“Mason Ruffner Live,” 2005, Maldoror Records, masonruffner.com

Reading
We embrace reading hard copy books; we all have library cards. My son and I are presently engaged in a contest to see who can read 1,000 minutes first. We are far behind mum and daughter, as they are reading fiends. I’m presently reading a biography of the composer and pianist Leo Ornstein.

“Leo Ornstein, the Man: Modernist Dilemmas, Personal Choices,” by Michael Broyles and Denise Von Glahn

Fitness
My kids have trained in capoeira for years now and can probably take me down if they wanted. Biking, tennis, soccer, swimming, and basketball are all in rotation. A favorite hangout is Penguin Ice Skating inside Esplanade Mall.

Penguin Ice Skating, Esplanade Mall, ‍1401 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner

Passion
My favorite passion is feeding my kids’ interests. Adelaide loves Indian dance and basketball; Ellis loves fishing and soccer. Mum and Dad love trying to keep ahead of their curve.

Food
My wife and I have always loved exotic food, and the family has watched all the cooking shows on Netflix twice over. Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, and Japanese restaurants are our go-tos. We have managed to convince our kids to make some meals here and there with their killer cucumber/avocado sushi they learned to make at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd